If you’ve flipped through your parents’ wedding album from say the 80s or 90s– you're well aware of how weddings have evolved over time. Odds are your parents were hitched in a proper church with pews. No doubt their choices for wedding day attire are either laughable now, or they’ve come back into fashion, as most all silhouettes tend to do. Regardless, it’s clear that wedding trends come and go, so here’s a little overview of what’s trending for this year. So if you’re planning a wedding this year and want to keep things fresh and hip, we’ve got you. Wedding trends 2020, we’re coming for ya!
1- Sustainable Weddings
Green weddings, guys! It’s a thing, and we are totally on board. It’s more crucial now than ever before to plan all things from an angle of sustainability, and weddings are no exception. Thinking about what kind of impact our choices make is step one to reducing our footprint, so how can that apply to planning your wedding ceremony and reception? Think about using vendors with sustainable practices, find ways to upcycle decorating elements, source locally grown food for your meal, and repurpose as much as you can rather than having things made for your special day.
2- Inclusive Menus
It’s 2020, y’all. Inclusivity is everything, and that comes into play on wedding days too. A more recent wedding trend is inclusive menus that can tick the boxes for any guest with any dietary preferences or restrictions. The days of chicken or steak are gone, friends. Vegetarian options? Yes. Vegan? Yes. Nut and gluten allergy-friendly? Yes and yes. Being considerate of your guests takes some extra planning and preparation, but just think of how grateful they’ll be. You can even consider having mocktails available for the non-boozers, and those who plan to drive after the party.
3- Bold Colors
In 2020, we’re saying ‘see ya later’ to basic color palettes like all white, all blush, or neutrals. Expect instead this year to see pops of color, statement hues, and maybe even a little power clashing with patterns thrown in. We also expect to see brides really lean into using the bold colors they’re drawn to while going full on rather than just sprinkling it in here and there. Think bold. Incorporate your favorite hues in non-traditional elements from glassware and china to tablecloths and napkins, and beyond.
4- Self-Serve Cocktails
Not that there’s anything wrong with an ice-filled cooler of canned beers, but we’re talking a little more grandiose with a self-serve cocktail bar for your 2020 wedding guests. This new trend includes an artfully-presented spread of DIY mixology bits and pieces, so your guests can play bartender each time they need a refill. Picture a fancy bar set up with glasses, ice, all the fixings, and even fun garnishes to kick up the wow factor. Your guests will enjoy this, and BONUS, you’ll need one less bartender at your soiree.
5- Statement Wedding Decor
We’re living in a time in which your wedding details can be literally whatever your heart desires. If ever there was a time for the ‘go big, or go home’ attitude, tis now. So for your 2020 wedding, think about what special touches you can incorporate that will be memorable, just the right about of over-the-top, and classically you. Your guests will be wowed, and you’ll feel extra celebrated to boot. Think big like a giant floral installation, elaborate wedding photo booth for your guests, or even a fireworks sendoff.
6- Be EXTRA
2020 is going to be the year for bigger and bolder as dresses go. Simple slip dresses and understated silhouettes are taking a backseat, making way for a more is more approach to wedding attire. Think tulle, beading, tiers, layers, and volume. We also expect brides to change more frequently. She may turn the aisle into her runway for the day in something bigger and bolder, then change for the reception or send off. At the end of the day, it’s YOUR big day, so you gotta do you. If ever there was a time to be extra though, it’s on your wedding day. Take some fashion risks. Go for that bold shape, big sleeve, or even color or print. Just remember, there’s a time to go big, and there’s a time to reign it in. If you go bold with the dress, you’ll probably want to go simple with the accessories and hair. It’s all a game of balance. Check out some of the top wedding dress trends of 2020 from the Knot here.
7- Loo Loot
Weddings come with cocktails, and partaking in those delicious, celebratory wedding spirits inevitably equates to more trips to the loo. So why not incorporate thoughtful details for even your guests’ trips to the bathroom? We’re talking more than just a breath mint, here. Think bigger. Tarot readings in the ladies room! Champagne stations just outside. You can even stock the bathrooms with items that your guests might need like tissues, dental floss, or stain sticks. You could even stock up on tons of fun lipstick shades from the drugstore and let your female guests go crazy in the ladies’! Check out this list of what to put in a bathroom basket for some great ideas that will enhance your 2020 wedding.
8- Wedding Videography
Gone are the days of a few awkward film snaps of your family standing stiffly on the steps of a church. These days, wedding photography plays a huge role in the wedding planning process, and for many brides and grooms is the piece of the puzzle that gets the most attention and biggest slice of the pie as budget is concerned. Now even more so than ever, wedding videography has become a must for most couples. Less couples are asking if they’ll hire a videographer now, and focusing more on the question of who will compile the wedding video. The best option is to work with videographers who collaborate effortlessly with your day-of photographer/s to accurately capture the spirit of the day. You’ll want someone who has a visual style that speaks to you, who can also tie everything together with the right music and overall feel that matches the tone of your big day.
9- Blue is the New Black
As menswear goes for 2020 weddings, we are seeing black being overtaken with blue. Navy, cobalt, and teal jackets are on trend this year when it comes to suits and tuxedos for the bridal party. There’s just something more fun, but still buttoned-up enough about a rich blue suit, and accessories still leave room for some unique touches and personalization for the wedding dudes. According to the Knot, unique wedding dress codes are also trending this year! Check out more on that here.
10- Charcuterie Calls!
This 2020 wedding trend might just be our favorite of all– Cheese Hour. Yes, you heard us correctly. Through this trend for the upcoming year, we’ll see a rise in wedding receptions with decked out charcuterie boards. Fruit, nuts, crackers, honey, and lots and lots of delicious cheese piled high to meet your snacking needs during cocktail hour or at any point during the reception. This is a fun and savory spin on the traditional Viennese Hour– generally involving an elaborate tablescape of various sweets– and a welcomed upgrade (if we may be so bold) on the donut walls of years past.
No matter what your 2020 wedding planning holds, your friends at Chattanooga Tent & Event Solutions are here to help with all aspects of your wedding ceremony or reception, from Chattanooga wedding tent rentals to custom flooring installations to tables and chairs and more! Happy planning to our 2020 brides and grooms!